Steelers to play preseason game vs. Bills in
Toronto

The Steelers will play a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills in Toronto. The Aug. 14 contest will mark the first time since Aug. 3, 1960, that the Steelers will play a game in Toronto. The Steelers will play their...

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http://www.steelersfootballblog.com/2008/04/steelers-to-pla.html

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Assault charge dropped against Steeler James
Harrison

An assault charge was withdrawn today against Steelers linebacker James Harrison. Mr. Harrison, 29, was charged March 8 with assaulting his girlfriend, Beth Tibbott, 30, during a domestic dispute in Ohio Township. At a hearing today before District Judge Tara...

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http://www.steelersfootballblog.com/2008/04/assault-charge.html

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Jets release preseason schedule

Aside from their traditional two preseason games against the Giants and Eagles, the Jets New York Jets will open their 2008 preseason with a game against the Browns in Cleveland and they'll also play the Redskins at home. The Redskins...

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http://www.jetsfootballblog.com/2008/04/jets-release-pr.html

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Super rematch set for preseason

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http://www.giantfootballblog.com/2008/04/super-rematch-s.html

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Manuel Johnson Returns to Practice

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Johnson returns to spring practice: Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said wide receiver Manuel Johnson returned Thursday, but offensive lineman Duke Robinson isn't expected to be back on the field until next week. (Norman Transcript)

Living 'a Dream Come True': RezNet

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http://www.gnextinc.com/ousoonersblog/2008/04/manuel-johnson-returns-to-practice.
html

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Know Your Colts History: Loosey Goosey

Alex Haley once wrote that "History is written by the winners."  That quote is going to be important to remember because:

1. It ties in with my next point.
   
2. It's probably the most profound thing you'll ever read on KYCH.

Since history is written by the winners, often times we only remember the winners from the times when they were successful.  Of course, most Colts fans can identify with the case of Marshall Faulk, who had a great career in Indy that was dwarfed by his outstanding stay in St. Louis where he won the Super Bowl and an MVP award.  Another case in point is the one and only Tony Siragusa.  Most people are going to remember him for being a key piece of that legendary 2000 Ravens defense and for being a really annoying commentator, but in fact Goose spent over half of his career in Indy and he had some interesting moments while he was here.

Let's start with a quote that effectively put an end to cheering in Indianapolis for five years:Meanwhile Indianapolis Colt defensive tackle Tony Siragusa fairly drooled over Indy fans for their support during a 10-6 win against the Miami Dolphins. "They were definitely the 12th man. If I could, I would give everyone other than the ugly guys a kiss on the lips."If you read that before and lunch and the visual ruined your appetite, I apologize.  At least that visual won't induce vomiting, this one on the other hand...:Is it too much to suggest that 300-pound linemen--graceful giants engaged in ham-hand-to-hand combat--are America's answer to sumo wrestlers? Dallas offensive line coach Hudson Houck must think so; he has screened sumo films for the members of his not-so-thin blue line, to demonstrate the advantages of getting your hands inside and staying low to maintain balance.

"I love it, really," says 315-pound Indianapolis Colt defensive tackle Tony Siragusa, when asked his opinion of sumo. "I think those guys are sexy. I'd like to wear one of those thongs onstage and let people watch me."You can't say I didn't warn you.

As interesting as those quotes are, I think the most interesting thing I found about came from an article about the Colts' victory over the Chargers back in '96 Playoffs that propelled them on their run the AFC Championship.  Apparently he and Jim Harbaugh both liked playing a game in their free time, and if I gave you 900 guesses as to what it was you still probably wouldn't ever guess it:Both Seau and Harbaugh are chess enthusiasts and the champions of their respective locker rooms. Harbaugh won $200 from Colt defensive tackle Tony Siragusa on the flight to San Diego Saturday; the quarterback scored the football equivalent of a checkmate against Seau the next day.As interesting as it would've been to watch Jim Harbaugh and Tony Siragusa go at it in a game of chess, I'd much rather see Harbaugh take on Jim Kelly.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.stampedeblue.com/story/2008/4/4/31348/60795

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Character Questions: When are the headaches too
much

Thursday saw the news break that Chris Henry had gotten in trouble with the long arm of the law once again.  That was followed by the not so surprising news that he was released by the Cincinnati Bengals who clearly were fed up with his act.  Even less surprising (and this is not meant as a dig at NorCalDevilASU), somebody threw up a diary about the idea of signing Henry in part because of his tremendous upside.  I definitely am in no place to criticize a suggestion of signing Henry considering I was fully behind signing this guy and even more so this guy (a search for whom led me to this "classy" website).

Anyways, I would imagine this strike will not go over well with Roger Goodell and if Henry was not suspended for the season (pending appeal as always), I'd be more than a little bit surprised.  I'm not opening this up as a thread to discuss signing Henry.  Rather, I wanted to open up the discussion on the character issue as far as signing free agents and drafting certain players.  As far as I can tell, virtually every team has signed and/or drafted a guy that had red flags based on some character issue.  This brings up a couple of questions.  I'm curious what everybody's opinion is on bringing in players with red flags.  

They always say you hate a guy until he's on your team (TO, I'm looking at you).  However, before even addressing the idea of acquiring players with character issues, we have to figure out what we consider to be a character issue.  I mean they took Tarell Brown who slipped because of misdemeanor gun and drug charges.  I look at his past problems as wrong place, wrong time and he probably isn't such a bad kid.  Of course I'm also looking at this in red and gold tinted glasses.  The current brain trust rolled the dice on Antonio Bryant and after that didn't work out, you'd like to think they're skittish about bringing in a guy who will cause problems.

Of course Tarell Brown's off-the-field issues do not come close to comparing to those of Chris Henry so I guess we have to factor in the proverbial totality of the circumstances before making a decision.  Personally, I have no problem with giving guys a second chance, particularly when it will likely come cheap.  Of course, I can also acknowledge there is considerable hypocrisy in my view.  If Lawrence Phillips or Antonio Bryant had signed somewhere else, I would have probably been out there with a few sarcastic comments about signing "criminals."  They come to the 49ers though and they're not all bad; they're misunderstood; they'll be surrounded by the right kind of people and won't get in trouble.  Then you also have to consider the talent factor.  A guy who's had some brushes with the law and is supremely talented, like Chris Henry or Lawrence Phillips or Antonio Bryant, is going to get more second chances than some practice squad guy.

I think part of the hypocrisy comes from being a fan of the team, which I think is a fairly obvious observation.  I grew up in Las Vegas in the 80s when UNLV was the baddest team on the planet and everybody considered them cheaters.  As far as I was concerned the NCAA and the rest of the country could kiss off because they were just jealous.  Of course I still think that but that's another matter for another day.  

So I guess the question is what are your thoughts on character issues.  Chris Henry seems to be the threshold guy as far as clearly being out of control and not worth the headaches (or maybe not).  Is there a definitively line on who you'd accept the 49ers (or any of your other favorite teams) signing or is it a pretty tough line to mark?

Read The Full Article:
http://www.ninersnation.com/story/2008/4/3/234918/4414

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Decisions...

As Colts Homer posted, the preseason schedule was announced today.  The Colts' first home preseason game of 2008 - the first football game of any kind in Lucas Oil Stadium - will be against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, August 24 at 8 p.m.
As a season ticket holder, I have a decision to make.  Do I go to the first preseason game in Lucas Oil Stadium knowing it's a meaningless game and I'll probably end up leaving early, or do I wait for the prime-time opener against the Chicago Bears?

Part of me wants to be there for the first game ever played in the new stadium... but part of me would rather it be a sold-out packed house in a game that actually means something.  I mean, do I really want the outcome of the game riding on Jim Sorgi and Josh Betts?  Do we ever win preseason games?  

I'm just curious to see what you guys thought, especially season ticket holders.  I think I'm leaning towards going to the Bills game.  I'm afraid I'll miss something if I'm not there.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.stampedeblue.com/story/2008/4/3/234048/8825

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